DeLAND, Fla. - UCF reliever Derek Abriola struck out a career-high seven batters in 3.2 innings, but it was not enough as host Stetson defeated the Golden Knights 4-3 Tuesday evening. The Golden Knights tied a season-high with 14 strikeouts, but the Hatters pieced together two runs in the second and single runs in the fourth and sixth to pull out the win.

UCF dropped to 6-9 with the loss while Stetson improved to 7-8 on the season.

UCF jumped out to a 1-0 lead on Ryan Williams' sacrifice fly in the top of the second inning.

Stetson answered with two runs of their own in the bottom of second as
UCF starter Mitch Herold walked in a pair of runs.

The Hatters added a run in the bottom of the third inning to post a 3-1 lead. With the bases loaded and one out, Brandon Paritz reached on a fielder's choice allowing Jeremy Cruz to score from third.

The teams traded single runs in the sixth inning. In the UCF half, Tyson Auer led off with a walk and later scored on a wild pitch. For the Hatters, Brian Bocock drove in David Golliner with an infield single as the Hatters regained a two-run advantage.

After UCF put runners on first and second with two outs in the top of the seventh, Stetson head coach Pete Dunn called usual Friday night starter Chris Ingoglia to come in out of the bullpen. The Hatter junior succeeded in getting a ground out by Matt Ray to end the threat.

Robbie Elsemiller came in to pitch in the eighth inning but was tagged for a solo home run by Ryan Bono, his second of the year. Elsemiller yielded two hits in the ninth inning, but struck out Ray to end the game to earn his fourth save of the year.

Hatter starter Nathan Nery (1-2) worked 5.2 solid innings en route to his first victory of the season. He allowed two hits, walked two, and struck out two.

Herold (0-2) suffered the loss for the Knights.

UCF returns to action Wednesday with an afternoon game at Jay Bergman Field. The Golden Knights host Penn at 1:30 p.m.